Sunday, 30 September 2007

My photos today are nothing special, but they bring back memories for me. This afternoon I went to visit a friend in our local hospital. Two years ago today John was admitted there, following a heart attack (he hadn't realised he'd had one) and tests revealed that he was in urgent need of surgery, so that a week later he had a heart bypass op in King's College Hospital. We are both so grateful to God that our GP acted promptly to get John to hospital even though neither of us thought it was necessary. The last two years haven't been easy, but we're so thankful that John was diagnosed (apparently another fatal heart attack would have followed) and given the op he needed. Although he's not in the best of health, these last two years have been very precious to us.

I knew that quite a few people for various reasons wouldn't be able to come along today, but I was still disappointed when the response was poor this morning - although, of course, I was very pleased to see those who did come. There were more people this afternoon (making a total of 14 throughout the day) and in the end I sold £180 worth of cards, so I'll be able to send £54 to TEAR Fund plus a donation of £10.

I was glad that I made packs of Christmas cards - selling 5 in a pack for £2, because I sold 21 of these. I also sold 40 indidividual Christmas cards at £1 each and 50 cards made from recycling other cards. Apart from that I sold 45 other greetings cards, costing either £1.50 or £2 each.

I'm really appreciative of those who came and supported this worthy cause.

The last couple of days I've been sorting out what I've got ready for the sale tomorrow. I found that I'd got more unfinished symphonies than Schubert - many more! I had lots of tags that I'd prepared ready to put on cards, but never had - so I've now got 32 more cards, having made these up.

I found up these little zigzag cards and thought I'd do something with them, so, a few blooms and bits and here they are (photos are terrible, it's so dull and rainy, which doesn't account for me chopping the tops of some of the cards - they do all go to a point at the top):

I'm having to be very careful today because I was in severe pain again last night with my back - there seems to be another area that's caved in a bit more, so I think there's possibly another vertebra fractured - there's not much I can do about preventing them, other than wrap myself in cottonwool! I even have to ask John to pick things up from the floor if I drop them - he's so good, bless him.

It was quite hard to take a photo of one of my favourite cushions on my armchair, because it's raining and the light is terrible, but I suppose it was good for me to try and get it right (not that I succeeded). The material of the cusion has a sheen to it and the circles are different materials, including velvet - the light has reflected on some of the circles:

It was my turn to choose the topic for this fortnight's challenge. This is what I wrote:

We have been pleased to see folks joining in our challenges, including the wonderful creations for 'God's Promises'.

It's Hazel here; it's my turn to set the challenge this time and I've chosen

'Joy'

When things are going well in life we feel happy and joyful, but sometimes circumstances of life may cause us to feel sad, but even at those times we can still experience the joy of the Lord. I'm reminded of the verse in Nehemiah 8:10b: 'for the joy of the Lord is my strength'.

We'd love to see your take on this challenge

so please leave us a comment when you are finished your piece,

so that we and others may see your work.

To get you inspired the Design Team have come up with some beautiful pieces.

This what I did, which started me off making the other stamped cards using the lovely English Paper Company Christmas angels papers that you saw yesterday. The circular stamp and wording are from Rubbadubbadoo and the tiny angel and dove stamps are part of a Hero Arts set.

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

I got some lovely 12 x 12 Christmas papers from English Paper Company and particularly like the angel ones. I cut each paper into 4 6 x 6 squares so that the printed angel was in one corner. I then used stamps with Brilliance moonlight white and embossed with fine detail white. I did 4 of each, so that's given me another 16 Christmas cards.

I can only show three of the designs - the other one will have to wait till tomorrow (it might have something to do with my Salt challenge effort to be launched in the morning - watch this space!)

A container from which eases the pouring of liquid. Show us your jugs! A-hem.

When I first had my own home in 1977, I bought a couple of sturdy, heavy brown jugs. I hardly ever use them now (although they often come out at Christmas time as an extra to hold custard or whatever). They remind me of the song:

Tuesday, 25 September 2007

I started my swap cards last night, stamping the swirly pattern randomly on the cards using a bright pink inkpad and embossing with clear (you only get hints of the shine on the photos). I then stamped and embossed some flowers to use with the cards, but didn't like the result, so will save those for another time. This morning I've added some flowers layered up (I think they came originally from Lakeland) and some Poundland bling in the centres:

A natural (often man made!) material to soak up liquids. Show us a sponge in your space.

Before joining in HS:MS every day, I would never have thought of taking a photo of sponges! But here they are. They are a selection of cosmetic sponges - but I use them with inks and chalks in crafting:

Monday, 24 September 2007

Thought I'd have a change this morning from Christmas cards. The flowers on these cards are rub ons that are raised, embossed - and they went on sooooo easily! The wording on the cards are rub ons too - I received them quite a while ago from a crafty friend as part of a RAK and thought they went well with the flowers:

I must discipline myself now not to make any more cards until I've labelled and bagged the ones I've got (and quite a few need inserts in) - the bits of cardmaking that are boring, but necessary - I wish Santa would send me some of his elves to do these bits! Somehow I think they're too busy at the North pole!

Sunday, 23 September 2007

These are cards I made yesterday - made them in batches, ready for putting into packs of 5 for Saturday. They are very simple but both carry the profound message of what Christmas is about. The photos are terrible and don't show the cards as they are irl. The ones in gold have been embossed with fine detail gold and so the writing looks shiny, which doesn't show at all in the photos.

I'm feeling rough today - a cold developed Friday night (thanks to John for being so generous!). We would normally be out at church now, but just not fit enough to be there.

And since Thursday we've had no buses either into Bromley or Orpington, because there was a burst water main on our main road, very close to where we live, and the road has been closed since. They're still working there, but we have no idea when everything will be back to normal. Our water was cut off for about four hours, so hardly any inconvenience, but for public transport we are stranded.

Saturday, 22 September 2007

Well, I just couldn't think about facing the camera today, so I've taken the lead from one or two others and taken a shot of my feet, complete with mock crocs (£5 - good value - and comfy!). The carpet usually looks quite pinky until you see the bright colour of the crocs on it:

Thursday, 20 September 2007

Thank you for all the kind comments I've received, particularly about the 'let it snow' robo card. All credit must go to Erika on UKScrappers who provides such wonderful templates. All I did was get to grips with learning how to manipulate the robo to cope with the various layers.

I've been using the robo again today and have adapted a couple of Erika's templates:

The template for the next four cards was provided on UKS by Lin (Eui22). Now that I look at them again, I'm not sure whether perhaps they should have something in the middle - a flower or something - or whether to leave them plain. The photos aren't good because I've had to take them with flash by artificial light and some of the papers used are irridescent:

The following cards have been adapted from Erika's templates:

I've had fun doing them, in between crying with back pain - but, thank goodness, painkillers are kicking in better now.